“Ski with Me” Community Outreach
City Students First Ski Experience in Ellicottville

By, Marc Joseffer
HoliMont Member Sponsor

  What do you get when you mix 12 school kids, ages 11-14 from Buffalo Public School #6;

4 volunteer chaperones from Erie Community College; some really great Ski Instructors from HoliMont Ski Area; ski clothes donated by gracious HoliMont Members; ski equipment provided by HoliMont at GEAR-UP; bus transportation provided by Erie Community College to and from School #6 to HoliMont; and some of the best skiing conditions available for kids who have never skied on snow before!  PURE HEAVEN!

    On three consecutive Tuesday mornings and afternoons in March, HoliMont hosted these 12 kids through SKI WITH ME, a community outreach program founded by Gary Helfenstein, a local WNY Ski activist. Known as “MY 1^ST Ski”, this innovative program facilitates pathways for kids to “earn” their admission to My 1^st Ski through participation in both school and neighborhood programs.  They are selected by their school to participate in the program.

   While at HoliMont the kids received expert instruction on how to handle their ski equipment and master beginner skiing techniques.  Through one-on-one and group instruction, it has been amazing to see the progress these students have made. Not only has their skiing ability improved and advanced each week, but their enthusiasm, work ethic, cooperation and good sportsmanship have been outstanding.  They are all skiers now.

   While the participants represent many native cultures, they are all on the same page when it comes to learning together and enjoying their first skiing experience.  Just to see the joy in their hearts, the smiles on their faces and their desire to ski to the last minute each day made all the efforts to get them on the snow very rewarding.

   Special thanks to Ms. Wendy Emerling, Principal Buffalo School #6; Travis Widger, HoliMont Snowsports Director, and his excellent Ski School Instructors; all the terrific ladies and gents at HoliMont’s GEAR-UP Ski Shop; the office staff at HoliMont; Carolyn Helfenstein for all her guidance; and Ed Youmans, HoliMont General Manager, who made the whole program possible.